Diet pills come in two principle forms: over-the-counter varieties, which almost always use herbal or other dietary supplements that are not subject to FDA regulation, and prescription varieties, the drug components of which are subject to FDA regulation and approval. Prescription diet pills should only be taken under a doctor's close supervision and usually will not be prescribed to individuals that aren't clinically obese.
Step 1
Ask your doctor--if the pill in question is prescribed, or the manufacturer if it's a supplement--for proof, in writing, of studies showing the pill's efficacy. There should always be an 800 number for the manufacturer on any over-the-counter diet pill; if there's not, or if they're not ready or willing to answer questions for you, you know right away that the product is probably not legitimate.
Step 2
Use the FDA's Approved Drugs Database (see Resources) to search for information about the safety and side effects of ingredients in prescription diet pills. This will only work for prescription pills, since dietary supplements aren't subject to FDA regulation.
Step 3
Check how many pills you're supposed to take and how often. Can you take them with food? Must you stick to a strict schedule, taking them a certain amount of time before every meal? All this information should be labeled clearly on the bottle, whether it's OTC or prescription. Sometimes using a pill with a less-restrictive schedule makes it more likely that you'll actually stick to the plan over time.
Step 4
Calculate the cost per day of using the diet pills as directed, as opposed to the cost per dose, since dosing practices may vary from product to product. Add up the total number of pills you're supposed to take each day and divide the total number of pills in the bottle by this number: This gives you the number of days worth of pills in each bottle. Divide the cost of the bottle by the number of days worth of pills in it, and you'll have the cost per day of using that supplement.
Step 5
Consult a reputable health professional about any possible interactions between the drugs and supplements in each diet pill and any other medications or supplements you may be taking, especially birth control pills.
Step 6
Try not to be swayed by glowing testimonials and phenomenal promises for weight loss. Weight loss of more than two pounds per week can be very hard on your body and should usually be undertaken only under a doctor's supervision. Judge which pills appeal to you by their average efficacy, not the one-in-a-million success stories that manufacturers like to parade up front.
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